Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

Wohooo! My first wiiings! My first wiiings! Me singing as I bite into this sticky saucy chicken wing. I've cooked many chicken recipes from chicken thighs, chicken breast and drumsticks, and I had always wanted to cook wings. I used to watch Tasty's chicken wings videos and tell myself that I must cook wings one of these days, so, one of these days has finally arrived! The good thing about wings is that they do not take long to cook so you can whip them up when you don't feel like hustling in the kitchen. We always ate chicken wings growing up but they were always part of a full chicken stew. To be honest no one really cared for wings, we all fought for the thighs because of the dark meat or the best of all, the DRUMSTICK! If the two were taken then you would opt for the breast. Back then chicken wasn't sold packed in pieces, it was always sold live chicken that you request to be prepared and chopped up. Mostly grandma reared organic chicken that we would eat when we visited then we would be given roasted chicken to carry back to the city. Aaaaah! Fun times. As we became older and supermarkets started to not only offer dried food stuffs but include, grocery, butchery, bakery, and even food court, we can now buy any part of the chicken per grams or kilo, some even sell by number of pieces. Convenience and variety at its best! These chicken wings were devoured as fast as they were made!

INGREDIENTS

1 Pack Chicken Wings
1/2 Lemon Juiced
Pinch Salt
1 Teaspoon Black Pepper
2 Garlic Cloves
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons Cilantro
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 Tablespoon Ginger
1/2 Cup Honey
1 Cup Soy Sauce
1 Tablespoon Sesame Seeds

METHOD

Add chicken wings to large bowl, add salt

Add black pepper

Add ginger garlic paste

Pour in soy sauce

 Add paprika if you want more spice

Use hands to rub the marinade into the chicken wings

Cover with cling film and marinate overnight for the flavours to meld into each other

Add olive oil and butter into a non stick pan

Let the butter melt until it stops forming

Add the chicken wings pieces

One at a time

Make sure each wing is directly ontop of the pan to get an even sear

Cook until the bottom starts to brown

Start flipping the chicken wings

Allow the second side to start Browning

Keep flipping until deeply browned and cooked through

Add honey into the chicken wings

All sauced up ready for some awesomeness

Allow chicken wings to cook until sauce starts to reduce

Once the sauce starts to reduce and thicken, sprinkle in the sesame seeds. I love the charred bits on the edges the most 

Garnish with sliced onions and cilantro

This right here is life. Listening to Bob Marley's "is this love that I'm feeling"

STICKY HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN WINGS

Recipe by Mulunga Alukwe

Prep time: 10 Minutes

Cook time: 20 Minutes

Total time: 30 Minutes

Yield: 2 Servings

Ingredients

• 1 Pack Chicken Wings
• 1/2 Lemon
• Pinch Salt
• 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper
• 2 Garlic Cloves
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 1 Tablespoon Ginger
• 1/2 Cup Honey
• 1 Cup Soy Sauce
• 1 Tablespoon Sesame Seeds

Cooking Directions

1. Add chicken wings to large bowl, add salt. Add black pepper. Add ginger garlic paste. Pour in soy sauce. Add paprika if you want more spice. Use hands to rub the marinade into the chicken wings. Cover with cling film and marinate overnight for the flavours to meld into each other
2. Add olive oil and butter into a non stick pan. Let the butter melt until it stops forming. Add the chicken wings pieces. Make sure each wing is directly ontop of the pan to get an even sear. Cook until the bottom starts to brown
3. Start flipping the chicken wings. Allow the second side to start Browning. Keep flipping until deeply browned and cooked through. Add honey into the chicken wings
4. Allow chicken wings to cook until sauce starts to reduce. Once the sauce starts to reduce and thicken, sprinkle in the sesame seeds. I love the charred bits on the edges the most. Garnish with sliced onions and cilantro

Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Wings – FAQs

1. What are sticky honey garlic chicken wings?

These are crispy chicken wings coated in a sweet and savory glaze made from honey, garlic, soy sauce, and spices, resulting in a sticky, flavorful coating.

2. Can I make them crispy without frying?

Yes, you can bake or air-fry the wings for a crispy texture without deep frying.

3. Is honey okay for keto or paleo diets?

Honey is natural but high in sugars. For strict keto, honey is usually avoided or used very sparingly. Paleo diets allow raw honey in moderation.

4. Can I substitute soy sauce for a gluten-free option?

Yes, tamari or coconut aminos are great gluten-free substitutes for soy sauce.

5. How do I get the glaze sticky?

Simmer the sauce until it thickens before tossing the wings, or bake the wings with sauce allowing it to caramelize.

Nutrition Card – Approx. per 6 wings (150g)

Nutrient	Amount	% Daily Value (DV)	Notes
Calories	350–400 kcal	—	Depends on wing size and glaze amount
Protein	30–35 g	60–70%	High-quality protein from chicken
Carbohydrates	12–18 g	4–6%	Mostly from honey and sauce ingredients
Sugars	10–15 g	—	Natural sugars from honey
Fat	22–28 g	34–43%	From chicken skin and cooking oil
Sodium	Moderate to High	Depends on soy sauce/salt	Adjust salt as needed

Dietary Compatibility & Notes

Diet Type	Compatible?	Suggestions
Low-Carb/Keto	❌ Limited	Honey is high in sugar; reduce or substitute with keto-friendly sweeteners like erythritol or monk fruit
Paleo	✅ Yes	Use raw honey and coconut aminos instead of soy sauce
Whole30	✅ Yes	Use compliant sweeteners like raw honey or omit; use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce
Gluten-Free	✅ Yes	Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce
Dairy-Free	✅ Yes	No dairy ingredients included
Nut-Free	✅ Yes	Safe for nut allergies

Serving Tip:

Serve wings with celery sticks and a tangy dipping sauce like ranch or blue cheese (or vegan versions). Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for extra flavor and crunch.

Please note that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes used. For precise nutritional information, consider using a nutrition calculator with exact ingredient measurements.

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